Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the decision was made prior to the Budget 2012 to scrap the budget for equality proofing; the ramifications, if any, the lack of funding for equality had in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55561/12]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the impact Budget 2013 will have on the process of equality proofing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55562/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.

I presume the Deputy is referring to the funds from the European Social Fund (ESF) available to the Equality Authority in respect of an Equality Mainstreaming project led by a dedicated Unit in the Authority. This budget has not been abolished. Instead a new streamlined arrangement has been put in place whereby the Equality Authority receives reimbursements directly from the ESF, rather than being routed through my Department. The Equality Mainstreaming Unit in 2012 continued its work to contribute to improving access to the labour market for specific groups experiencing barriers to employment.

The Government has maintained the existing level of Exchequer grant-in-aid funding for the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission in the provision made in Budget 2013 for the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. While the Equality Authority sets its own priorities for the year, it is expected that equality proofing activities will continue under the Equality Mainstreaming project on the same basis as in 2012.